Congenital lobar emphysema – the disappearing chest mass: antenatal ultrasound appearance

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital lobar emphysema is rarely reported in the literature. This case presents a fetus with an echogenic lung diagnosed at 18 weeks' gestation, that resolved completely during the pregnancy. This case is unique in that sonographic increased echogenicity was first noted at 18 weeks' gestation and had disappeared by 29 weeks' gestation. The diagnosis was made in the postnatal period as a result of follow up of the prenatal findings. This case reinforces the importance of continuing postnatal investigations of prenatal sonographic abnormalities even when they appear to have disappeared. A discussion of the causes of congenital lobar emphysema is presented. Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology